Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Erosion Control, Sports Turf
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); identified by dense tiller growth and medium-fine texture compared to forage varieties
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7; excellent cold tolerance and the most heat-tolerant of the cool-season grasses.
About This Grass
A robust, upright grass with a deep green color and medium texture. It maintains color well into the fall and recovers quickly in early spring. Seed heads are large panicles, though rarely seen in managed lawns.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm (medium to coarse); flat shape with a distinctly pointed tip; dark green color; vernation is rolled in the bud; prominent veins on the upper surface with a smooth underside; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent or small and blunt.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system, often reaching 2-3 feet deep, providing excellent drought resistance; slow to form thatch; moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; widely naturalized in North America, particularly the Transition Zone
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming) with occasional short rhizomes; forms a dense sod when seeded heavily
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to moderate shade (prefers at least 4-6 hours of sun); moderate water needs but possesses high drought tolerance due to deep roots; thrives in pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0 to 4.0 inches; mow weekly during spring/fall; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen/1000 sq ft annually; low to moderate maintenance; requires periodic overseeding as it does not spread via stolons.
Special Characteristics
High traffic/wear tolerance; good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot in modern cultivars; moderate shade tolerance; excellent for preventing soil erosion.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Naturalized; provides cover for small mammals; excellent soil stabilizer; often blended with 5-10% Kentucky Bluegrass to improve self-repairing capabilities.